We answered bothe our hertes were in one, Sayeng that we dyde ryght well agre, For all our foes were added and gone. Ryght gladde I was that joyfull day to se; And than anone, with grete humylytie, La Bell Pucell to a fayre chambre bryght, Dyde me than brynge for to rest all nyght.
And she toke her leve, I kyst her lovely. I wente to bedde, but I coude not slepe, For I thought so moche upon her inwardly, Her moost swete lokes in to my herte dyde crepe, Percynge it through with a wounde so depe; For Nature thought every houre a daye Tyll to my lady I sholde my dette well paye.
CAP. XXXIX. OF THE GRETE MARIAGE BETWENE GRAUNDE AMOURE AND LA BELLE PUCELL.
Than Perceveraunce, in all goodly hast, Unto the steward called Liberalite Gave warning for to make redy fast Agaynst this time of great solemnitie, That on the morow halowed should be: She warned the cooke called Temperaunce, And after that the ewres Observaunce.
With Pleasaunce the paynter and dame Curtesy, The gentyll butler with the ladies all, Eche in her ofice was prepared shortly Agaynst this feast so much tryumphall. And La Belle Pucell then in speciall Was up betime in the morow gray, Right so was I, whan I sawe the daye.
And ryght anone La Belle Pucell me sente, Agaynst my wedding, of the satyn fyne, Whyte as the milke, a goodly garment, Branded with perle that clerely did shyne; And so the mariage for to determyne Venus me brought to a ryall chappell, Which of fyne golde was wrought every dele.
And after that the gay and glorious La Belle Pucell to the chappell was ledde, In a white vesture fayre and precious, Wyth a golden chaplet on her yalow hede; And Lex Ecclesie did me to her wedde; After which wedding there was a great feast, Nothing we lacked, but had of the best.
What should I tary by longe continuaunce Of the fest, for of my joye and pleasure Wysdom can judge withouten variaunce, That nought I lacked as ye may well be sure, Payeng the swete due det of nature; Thus with my lady was so fayre and clere, In joy I lived full right many a yere.
O, lusty youth and yong tender herte! The true company of my lady bryght, God let us never from other asterte, But all in joy to lyve both day and nyght! Thus after sorow joy aryveth aright: After my payne I had sporte and play; Full lytell thought I that it should decaye.